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Cabbie Crisis
This contribution has been submitted to Webdiary by a student in the Online Journalism unit for the Masters in Media Practice and Masters in Publishing courses at The University of Sydney as part of the unit's assessment. The topics covered in the pieces awaiting publication are interesting – and diverse. We hope that Webdiarists will enjoy reading them, as well as giving these aspiring journalists plenty of constructive commentary.
Cabbie Crisis
by Annabella Marquis
In late April of this year ABC reported that a gathering of enraged cab drivers blockaded one of
Hundreds of drivers came together outside Flinders Street Station, where they threatened to blockade
Since this time progress has been made in
In
I have found that the situation in
One driver was a rather inanimate, passive type, until he suddenly erupted into a tirade about the perilous danger that cab drivers must expose themselves to daily. He began retelling a brutal tale of a fellow driver being killed and abandoned in the woods. However true that tale may or may not have been, the sentiment was there and the fear was tangible.
Another heatedly explained that his daily job of driving a cab was 'the most dangerous job in
While
And yet, there is a contrasting point of view of some –the opinion that driving cabs is a hazardous occupation by nature and that this must be understood and accepted by all who involve themselves in the trade. One driver said that those who complain about the danger of their occupation should quite simply 'find another job'.
My opinion lies somewhere in between. Just as builders working on scaffolding must understand that they are in more danger than office workers, so must cab drivers understand that they are bound to be in close proximity with complete strangers – often drunken ones at that – much of the time. It must also be noted that some drivers consciously shun the prospect of having a safety screen in their cab, because it is uncomfortable and tends to inhibit ventilation.
And yet, everyone has the right to protection of some sort. Builders working in particularly hazardous situations are given danger pay – a big bonus on top of their regular pay. Similarly, cab drivers should be afforded protection if and when they want it. Yes, cab driving is a dangerous occupation, but it is surely the job of the Australian government to keep any and every legal occupation as safe as at all possible.
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Tips chicks cabbies & crooks
I drove cabs for about 9 months. Fortunately no bad stuff though one night I was a little worried after picking up four Maoris or Tongans or giants of some Islander nationality. They took me to a street in the back blocks of Redfern, paid the fare and invited me in for a drink. It was a party of some description but drinking and driving was not my thing. No need to worry though for these blokes came accross as pretty cool in the end.
I've known a lot of cabbiesand few have experienced real trouble, but as we know, trouble happens.
Driving cabs was OK (for a while), and yes all sorts of things happen. Racing to the hospital with a woman in her final stages of labour. So close - but her husband paid me generously. After all there was a wee bit of cleaning up to do.
And then there was the strange lady; a Mrs Robinson type who stroked my (longish) hair all the way from Potts Point to Lane Cove. She didn't tip me.
Then there was the large young lassie, who had been working late at the bank; on arrival at her home wanted to show me where lovers would park at the end of her dark and woody street. I gently explained to her I knew lots of places like that, then informed her price of the fare.
She replied, in funny grin, with words to the effect (I think) "a contro would be nice". Once again I politely declined for drinking and driving was a no no, especially spirits.
She didn't tip me either and for some reason slammed the door in a rather forthright manner. Must have been a hard day at the abbacus.
But this lady did tip me and tipped me repeatly she did. Let's call her Val (a classy pom in her mid twenties who looked and spoke beautifully). Val worked for a large well known company. Val was my special customer; she would pre-arrange pick up times and places all over he show. But the best thing was she paid me ten to twenty times the actual fare, in fact we didn't put the meter on (that would have been rude), we just thought of a nice round number and multiplied it by whatever. Yipee.
As such my twelve hour shifts sometimes only lasted 4 or 5 hours to the envy of the other cabbies who all wanted a piece of Val. But she was all mine. By now I adored her - sadly she was married, but she always gave good tip regardless.
I made hay while the sun shined (Val did too apparently) and she continued to pay me generously. I must admit it was obvious where the money was coming from but hey what can you do?
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and the beautiful Val was no more. She stopped calling me and that was the end of a good little earner, so I went and got a "real job".
It was some time later that I read in the SMH that my beloved Val was a crook, a bloody beautiful classy crook. This of course did not surprise me but the thought of that classy piece of femininity locked up in an ugly prison was an ambiguity too brutal to imagine.
Anyway this thread has brought back lots of memories, thank you Annabella Marquis.
This is an extremely
This is an extremely interesting story. I enjoyed reading this very much. I too have been told by a Sydney cab driver about the dangers of their work. Apparently, it is legal for them to travel without a seatbelt on so that they can jump out of their vehicle at a very hasty rate. It seems that they are in a situation where danger is looming. It would be interesting to see what their union is like and whether they have one - do they get paid danger money for example? Is this mandatory in their pay? Are they briefed on the dangers that they my occur before starting the job.
We'll see what happens...
Elizabeth, I also thought it was interesting to gain the 'other' perspective. Doing this assignment I gained a real sympathy for cab drivers in general. As a female I also feel vulnerable taking cabs, especially alone, but had never considered the vulnerability that the cab drivers themselves invariably feel. I didn't know the feeling was so strong and so prevalent.
Carmen, I agree. The legislation does not necessarily mean change will occur. The people I spoke with at the VTA and the Department of Transport were being very careful not to say anything too definite regarding the situation, and one categorically asked not to be quoted. It has been months since the protest, and there are still many months left until the screens supposedly must be fitted. It all seems a little dodgy to me.
Moses, big cities really do pose the biggest risk, which is why I suppose the legislation was specific to metropolitan areas. However, i'm sure these occurrences are not unique to big cities. It's interesting that, as Elizabeth said, in the UK there are screens in most cabs, even in outer city and rural areas. Again I insist, protection must be in place for all cab drivers.
Situation is universal
Annabella, this article made me reflect on a similar interview i had with a cab driver in NYC. His grievances were identical to the ones you described. It seems that in major cities the risks will always be high for cab drivers.
Ian M (Ed): 'moses4eva', welcome to Webdiary. We have a policy here of publishing everything under our real names, unless editorial agreement for use of a pseudonym has been obtained prior to publication. Please take note.
...but will there be action?
Annabella, I agree that all workers should be afforded protection and I believe the safety screen is a good idea, but do cabbies need the government to finalise this decision before they can fit them?
Builders do have scaffolding and harnesses, but even though it is legislated that they must be affrded these protections, there are always cases where they aren't, which makes me wonder how the Victorian Government's decision will impact on screen installations.
I enjoyed the story (and not just because I accidently walked into the protest that night on Flinders Street). I love the cabbie anecdotes, they always have a story to tell!
I'm not sure if it's my computer, but all your links seem to go to the Apple website.
Richard: No, it's not your comp,Carmen. We'll fix ASAP.
From a different angle...
Annabella, this is in a interesting article. Having just read an article about another couple of girls who were attacked by a cabbie after a friday night in town it is fascinating to hear a cabbies perspective. As a female, I always feel slightly vulnerable taking a cab home after a night out. However, I had never considered the potential risk cabbies are taking night after night transporting drunk, and potentially violent, patrons home.
In the UK most cab companies fit their cars with a screen. Personally, I think there are no negative aspects of having them fitted. Everyone does deserve safety at work. If a screen provides a cabbie with protection the government should take steps to fulfil this need.